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You could spend months exploring California’s coast — which is precisely what makes an RV trip along the shore so appealing. From Southern California north to the Oregon border, a large number of shoreline RV parks make viewing the yearly migration of whales, frolicking dolphins, pounding surf and rugged coastline a complete pleasure.

North Coast

The far northern coast of California is lined with mile after mile of state beaches and parks. Embrace your inner ornithologist while viewing the numerous migrating species that call Tolowa Dunes State Park their temporary home. The Salmon Harbor RV Resort borders the parks northern edge along the Smith River. Farther south, Camp Marigold Garden Cottages & RV Park is located within Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park — famous for its old growth trees, sweat-inducing bluff trails and dazzling displays of wildflowers.

Mendocino

Brave the frigid waters of the Mendocino coastline while scuba diving for abalone. The Caspar Beach RV Park is best suited to smaller RVs and offers windsurfing and kayak rentals. South of Mendocino Bay, make your dog happy by trotting him along the whitewater at sunset in Van Damme State Park. Alternatively, step away from the shoreline for awhile and tread through the park’s Pygmy Forest of cypress and pine.

Half Moon Bay

Gape in awe while watching surfers plunge down the face of absolutely enormous waves north of Half Moon Bay. A famous surfing spot, Maverick’s regularly sees winter waves cresting 25 feet. Pelican Point RV Park and Pillar Point RV Park offer beach side bases from which to explore the area. Be sure to stop off at Tres Amigos on Pacific Coast Highway for delicious, inexpensive Mexican food. Half Moon Bay is a suitable choice if you’re planning on making forays into nearby San Francisco.

Monterey Coast

Pinpoint the exact location of Steinbeck’s Tortilla Flat during a tour of Monterey. If golfing is your passion, take in a picturesque, seaside round at the Monterey Peninsula Dunes Golf Course. Picnics at Asilomar State Beach offer inspiring views of Spanish Bay while walks through the refreshing Point Lobos State Natural Reserve yield sightings of ruffled purple rockweed, busy sea otters and the occasional squirrel nibbling on wild mushrooms. Marina Dunes RV Park offers easy access, a marina and close proximity to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Central Coast

Discover for yourself that castles are built someplace besides Europe while visiting the Central Coast. Home to Hearst Castle, award-winning vineyards, rolling oak-filled hills and an enormous lava neck jutting out of Morro Bay, the Central Coast is likely to satisfy outdoor lovers. San Simeon State Park is the best option if you’re planning on a castle visit while Morro Strand RV Park makes fishing for halibut and sole an easy cast. Further south in Oceano, the Pacific Dunes RV Resort and Riding Stables offers quick access to Pismo Beach, horse rentals and access to inland wineries.

Southern Coast

Learn to say “dude” like a true Southern California surfer while riding the waves for the first time in Ventura. Emma Wood State Beach offers full hookups, primitive sites and is a popular place to learn to surf with its gently descending shore and mellow surf. Road bike specialists can draft off each other for miles while pedaling along the Old Rincon Highway. If all that exercise doesn’t appeal to you, perhaps roasting marshmallows over a beach-side campfire will.

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About the Author

Mike Biscoe has been writing since 2009. Focusing on travel, sports and entertainment topics, he has credits in various online publications including LIVESTRONG.COM and Trails. He often writes articles covering uncommon travel destinations from firsthand experience. Biscoe holds a Certificate of Completion in acting from the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts.